---
title: "Access to Employment Programme"
ocid: "ocds-h6vhtk-066191"
canonical_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-h6vhtk-066191"
markdown_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-066191.md"
json_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-066191.json"
source: "Find A Tender Service"
current_stage: "Tender"
buyer: "NORTH LONDON NHS FOUNDATION TRUST"
published: "2026-04-16"
---

# Access to Employment Programme

Buyer: NORTH LONDON NHS FOUNDATION TRUST  
Current stage: Tender  
OCID: ocds-h6vhtk-066191

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## Summary

The North London NHS Foundation Trust is currently in the tender stage of procurement for the Access to Employment Programme, scheduled from 1st July 2026 to 31st March 2027, with options for extension. This initiative falls under the healthcare industry category, specifically focused on rehabilitation services within the North London region. The programme aims to support forensic mental health service users through work-based vocational learning. The competitive procurement is conducted under the Provider Selection Regime, focusing on voluntary, community, faith, and social enterprise (VCFSE) organisations to deliver structured placements and vocational pathways. Tenders must be submitted electronically by 24th April 2026, and the selection will utilise the criteria set out in the Invitation to Tender reflecting key elements prescribed by the Provider Selection Regime Regulations.

This contract can foster business growth for VCFSE organisations, particularly those experienced in delivering services to public sector bodies within similar profiles and complexities. It provides opportunities to expand service offerings, enhance organisational reach, and strengthen collaborations across the North London Forensic Collaborative network, which includes several North London NHS Trusts. Businesses can apply for up to four lots, facilitating engagement across multiple locations in North London. The programme prioritises creating partnerships that deliver social value and sustainability, offering varied placements that complement existing education and training pathways, thereby expanding portfolio offerings strategically for those within the rehabilitation services domain.

## Notice

The North London Forensic Collaborative (NLFC) (the "Authority") is issuing this Invitation to Tender ("ITT") in connection with the competitive procurement of the Access to Employment Programme, conducted under the Competitive Process (Regulation 11) of the PSR Regulations.

The NLFC is commissioning a new Access to Employment Programme to deliver work-based, vocational and on-the-job learning for forensic mental health service users across all North London boroughs. The programme will provide structured voluntary placements, vocational learning and work-based training pathways that support recovery, build confidence and enable progression into volunteering and employment.

The programme will be delivered through a combination of local provision and system-wide offers, creating a broader portfolio of opportunities across the collaborative. The programme has four lots:
* Lot 1 - North Central London
* Lot 2 - North East London
* Lot 3 - North West London
* Lot 4 - North London Wide
Organisations can apply for 1, 2 ,3 or 4 lots. For each lot a separate application must be made.

This opportunity is open exclusively to voluntary, community, faith and social enterprise (VCFSE) organisations.

The procurement documents are available for unrestricted and full direct access, free of charge, at: 

https://health-family.force.com/s/Welcome (Atamis e-Tendering Portal) 

Additional information can be obtained from the address above. 

Tenders or requests to participate must be submitted electronically via the Atamis e-Tendering Portal at the address above. 

Contract dates: 1 July 2026 to 31 March 2027 (initial term), with options to extend on a 1+1 basis subject to satisfactory performance and continued funding. 

Value for all 4 Lots excluding VAT: PS125,000 (Pro Rata for Year 1)

Note: This represents the maximum budget for the initial 9-month contract period across all four Lots combined. The approximate lifetime value, including both 12-month extension options, is PS343,500.

### Lot Information

Lot 1

Following the publication of the Preliminary market engagement notice on the 3rd March 20206 and the webinar held on the 17th March 2026 North London Forensic Collaborative (NLFC) is commissioning a new Access to Employment Programme to deliver work-based, vocational and on the job learning for forensic mental health service users across all North London boroughs. 

This programme will provide work-based training (learning by doing within real workplace environments) and practical vocational learning (hands-on skills development delivered in structured workshop settings). The programme will not deliver education, training or employment (ETE) support such as CV writing, job-search activity or employment coaching, which is commissioned separately through existing clinical pathways. Instead, it aims to complement current provision by expanding access to work-based settings where individuals can develop skills and experience improving their confidence and creating healthy routine to progress towards meaningful employment.

The programme will be delivered through a combination of local provision and system-wide offers, creating a broader portfolio of opportunities across the collaborative.

This opportunity is open exclusively to voluntary, community, faith and social enterprise (VCFSE) organisations.

The Access to Employment programme will operate across the NLFC geographical footprint of North London, to provide a range of work-based training, vocational learning, and structured occupational opportunities. These pathways will support forensic mental health service users to build skills, confidence, and experience real world work and on-the-job training at a pace that reflects their individual needs and recovery journey.

Work-based and vocational activity may include structured voluntary placements delivered within community and VCFSE settings, where the provider designs, coordinates and retains end-to-end responsibility for the placement pathway, participant support and progression. This may include delivery through host organisations, provided the provider maintains accountability for the placement experience. The programme will not fund models that solely provide employability advice, brokerage or signposting without responsibility for placement delivery.
The programme recognises that people may be at very different stages of readiness. Some individuals may have never worked or be taking their first steps back into a work setting after a long period in hospital, while others may be preparing to move into more structured roles and paid employment. As a result, the programme will offer different levels of intensity, from low threshold introductory activity through to more regular, structured work-based placements.

Although securing paid work or a volunteer role is the primary outcome, the programme recognises that progress may look different for each person. For some, meaningful steps include rebuilding routine, improving confidence, increasing social connection, developing new skills and maintaining recovery. The programme is therefore designed as a holistic and recovery-focused model, providing supportive, real-work environments where people can try new activities, practise skills, and progress in ways that reflect their individual readiness, whether that means gradual staged development or moving directly into volunteering or paid employment.

The contract involves joint procurement. The North London Forensic Collaborative is formed of five NHS Trusts: 

North London NHS Foundation Trust (Lead Provider) 
Central and North West London NHS Foundation Trust (CNWL) 
East London NHS Foundation Trust (ELFT) 
North East London NHS Foundation Trust (NELFT) 
West London NHS Trust (WLT) 
North London NHS Foundation Trust is the Lead Provider and acts as the contracting authority for this procurement. 

The programme will be delivered through a combination of local provision and system-wide offers, creating a broader portfolio of opportunities across the collaborative. The programme has four lots:
* Lot 1 - North Central London
* Lot 2 - North East London
* Lot 3 - North West London
* Lot 4 - North London Wide

Organisations can apply for 1, 2 ,3 or 4 lots. For each lot a separate application must be made.

Options: No options beyond the 1+1 extension described at II.2.7.

Renewal: Description of renewals: Option to extend on a 1+1 basis (up to two further 12-month periods), subject to satisfactory performance and continued funding availability.

### Planning Information

Virtual Market Engagement Event
NLFC wishes to hold an online Market Engagement Event where they will provide more detail on the service, gauge the level of interest from potential providers and to engage with interested parties to gather feedback on specific aspects of the future service specification and best approach.
Date: 17 March
Time: 3:00pm – 4:00pm
To register for the webinar overview session please click on the procurement portal https://atamis-1928.lightning.force.com/lightning/r/ProSpend__Proc_Contract__c/a07Pz00001OfRlQIAV/view 
(please complete registration if needed https://atamis-1928.my.site.com/s/Welcome and then click on the link above ), and confirm your attendance.
PARTICIPATION
Particular suitability: Providers with referenceable experience in providing similar services to public sector bodies via contracts of a similar profile, scale and complexity.
SUBMISSION
North London Forensic Collaborative (NLFC) is conducting this PME in accordance with Section 16 of the UK Procurement Act 2023 (PA2023). The purpose is to engage with the market to inform the design of a future procurement for Access to Employment Programme.
The subsequent procurement is anticipated to be conducted under the Competitive Flexible Procedure in accordance with Section 24 of the Procurement Act 2023, including a pre-qualification stage. The Trust reserves the right not to proceed to tender.
OBJECTIVES OF PME
The objectives of this PME are to:
• Gather market intelligence on Access to Employment solutions.
• Understand supplier capabilities, innovation potential, and commercial models.
• Ensure accessibility and inclusion for SMEs and VCSEs.
• Shape a procurement strategy that delivers social value and sustainability.
ENGAGEMENT EVENTS
Webinar Overview Session – 17th March 2026 15:00 GMT (MS Teams) Overview of project scope, approach and Q&A with Trust and HealthTrust Europe LLP.
Optional Innovation 1-to-1 Meetings –
Suppliers may be invited to discuss their approach and answer further questions from Trust clinical, operational, technical and procurement personnel.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
• Suppliers are encouraged to register early.
• Participation does not constitute pre-qualification of any future procurement
Any questions please contact: Serena McCabe
Tel: 02087023814 Email: serena.mccabe@nhs.net

## Key Details

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Publication source | Find A Tender Service |
| Latest notice | https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/034826-2026 |
| Notice type | UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice |
| Procurement type | Standard |
| Procurement category | Services |
| Procurement method | Selective |
| Procurement method details | Competitive procedure with negotiation |
| Tender suitability | SME, VCSE |
| Awardee scale | Not specified |
| All stages | Planning, Tender |

## Dates

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Publication date | 16 Apr 2026 |
| Submission deadline | 24 Apr 2026 |
| Future notice date | 17 Mar 2026 |
| Award date | Not specified |
| Contract period | 30 Jun 2026 - 31 Mar 2027 |
| Recurrence | Not specified |

## Values

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Tender value | £343,750 |
| Lots value | £343,750 |
| Awards value | Not specified |
| Contracts value | Not specified |

## Status

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Tender status | Active |
| Lots status | Active |
| Awards status | Not specified |
| Contracts status | Not specified |

## Buyer

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Main buyer | NORTH LONDON NHS FOUNDATION TRUST |
| Locality | LONDON |
| Post town | North West London |
| Postcode | NW1 0PE |
| Country | England |
| ITL 1 | TLI London |
| ITL 2 | TLI3 Inner London - West |
| ITL 3 | TLI36 Camden |
| Local authority | Camden |
| Electoral ward | St Pancras & Somers Town |
| Westminster constituency | Holborn and St Pancras |
| Delivery location | TLI London |

## CPV Codes

### Divisions

- 85 - Health and social work services

### Codes

- 85312500 - Rehabilitation services

## Release History

- 16 Apr 2026 at 14:50 - Tender - Tender Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/034826-2026
- 5 Mar 2026 at 14:38 - PlanningUpdate - UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/019979-2026
- 5 Mar 2026 at 13:38 - PlanningUpdate - UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/019937-2026
- 4 Mar 2026 at 00:01 - PlanningUpdate - UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/019249-2026
- 3 Mar 2026 at 18:08 - Planning - UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/019233-2026

## Documents

- https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/019979-2026
  5th March 2026 - Preliminary market engagement notice on Find a Tender
- https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/019937-2026
  5th March 2026 - Preliminary market engagement notice on Find a Tender
- https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/019249-2026
  4th March 2026 - Preliminary market engagement notice on Find a Tender
- https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/019233-2026
  3rd March 2026 - Preliminary market engagement notice on Find a Tender

## Notice URLs

- https://atamis-1928.lightning.force.com/lightning/r/ProSpend__Proc_Contract__c/a07Pz00001OfRlQIAV/view
- https://atamis-1928.lightning.force.com/lightning/r/ProSpend__Proc_Contract__c/a07Pz00001V1F7PIAV/view
- https://atamis-1928.my.site.com/s/Welcome
- https://health-family.force.com/s/Welcome
- https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2023/54/contents
- https://www.northlondonmentalhealth.nhs.uk

## Provenance

This Markdown file is an alternate public rendering of the D3 Tenders contract record. The canonical page is https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-h6vhtk-066191. The underlying structured data is available as OCDS JSON at https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-066191.json.